Community art exhibit highlights fresh perspective on landscapes

Throughout history, observation of the world that surrounds us has brought great inspiration to artists. This observation is the essence of the exhibit, ”Of Land, Sea and Sky,” a community art exhibition organized by the College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University. The exhibit showcases the artwork of over 65 artists along the busy and bustling hallways walked by students, faculty, staff and visitors.

We are able to examine our connection to our surroundings – to witness birds in flight, the autumn color in trees, the desert ground filled with reds and oranges, and the delicate balance between human and earth. 

The exhibition, which runs through December 10, 2016, is displayed on the first, second and third floors of the University Center at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus and features about 220 works of art submitted to the exhibition in a response to a community-wide call to artists. The exhibit engages the campus and larger Phoenix communities alike by placing art created by working professionals along emerging and young artists in this public space.

The exhibition invited artists of all ages to create paintings, drawings, and works of mixed media that explores what they see around them. Artist Eric Boos uses photos of differing landscapes and weaves them together to create vibrant scenes that can combine a scene of the seaside with bright red bananas, or views of New York City with colorful cacti. In his work, “100% Natural #2,” artist Craig Cheply is exploring and observing “the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of the subject matter.” His painting emphasizes the polluted sky and the harmful effects man has on the land.

Artists chose to participate for a variety of reasons.

”I was attracted to the theme of the exhibit as well as the community aspect,” stated artist Kimberly Kling who works primarily in mixed-media combining paint, paper and ink in bright compositions. “I thought it would be wonderful to be part of an exhibit which showcases local artists in an academic and public setting. This makes the art part of everyday life as opposed to a more traditional gallery set-up where people come specifically to see works of art. In this way, the art becomes more accessible to the community."

“I love looking up at the sky through the leaves on the trees” said artist Janet Burruel who works in mono-silkscreen prints. Her colorful and vibrant prints reflect her interest in the sky, trees, and the land around.

“It is important to have a community arts program at the downtown ASU campus because it exposes students to art they might not otherwise see. Art can inspire students to ask questions and think critically, create a dialogue. Art can help us slow down and look deeper and it can quite simply, make a space look beautiful and joyful,” Kling noted.

The Action, Advocacy, Arts Gallery provides community organizations and individuals the opportunity to share valuable stories through the visual arts with hundreds of people daily. Of Land, Sea and Skyis part of a larger and ongoing community exhibition featured throughout the University Center building.

The gallery is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for holidays. Guided tours may be arranged by contacting curator of art, Carrie Tovar at [email protected].